1
International Rugby Players to tackle World Rugby on its World League plans
By Online Editors
The International Rugby Players Council is to meet again next week to further discuss any proposed global tournament, as well as plans to ensure a more meaningful and effective engagement with World Rugby.
International Rugby Players CEO Omar Hassanein said: “Our players are incredibly passionate about having their voices heard, not just in relation to the proposed international season, but in respect of all player issues that impact the men’s, women’s, 15s and 7s game.
“We have an agreement with World Rugby which requires meaningful engagement on key player welfare issues. However, too often information fails to be provided in a manner that allows players to realistically influence the outcome.
“For the benefit of our game and to ensure we avoid situations where players feel they have to take a public stand, the relationship with World Rugby and the basis upon which we interact on key issues needs to be a lot more meaningful and effective. This will be central to our discussions when we meet as a team next week," said Hassanein.
Ahead of this meeting, International Rugby Players will meet with World Rugby on Monday to discuss the relationship with the governing body as well as the specific issues raised by leading players last week.
Johnny Sexton, Owen Farrell and Kieran Read have warned of serious “player welfare and integrity concerns” around World Rugby’s proposed competition structure for the global game. Their concerns were raised following the release of further details of the World League and how it will be run.
While senior players have consistently voiced their support for the concept, ongoing concerns exist around the detail of the competition format that has been taken to market in recent months.
The International Rugby Players Council of almost 40 players spoke via conference call last week to discuss the potential 12-year deal, with nine of the world’s top ten international team captains dialing in.
Senior players from around the globe were united in their concern about the proposed format, in relation to:
- Player load challenges from multiple top-level test matches in different countries and time-zones in consecutive weeks;
- Increased long-haul travel in short time frames;
- A lack of real opportunities for tier two nations to progress;
- Increased conflicts between country and club demands and regulation nine release periods;
- Potential impact on Rugby World Cup and Lions tours;
- The long-term quality and integrity of the international game.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Gloucester to face bitter rivals after beating Montpellier
3
‘Redefine the future’: India unveils revolutionary Rugby PL
4
Fissler Confidential: Prem club move to ringfence Test star
5
Latest Comments
REACH OUT TO TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY FOR A GREAT JOB
WhatsApp +15617263697
Fine wine and crypto do not always blend well, especially after a few drinks. I learned this the hard way after a record harvest at my vineyard. Swirling an old Cabernet under the stars, I was a financial connoisseur, my $720,000 Bitcoin wallet aging well for future returns. But the next morning, with a hangover as intense as my Merlion, I realized I'd forgotten my wallet password. Even worse, my recovery phrase, which I'd written down in my wine cellar notebook, had vanished. My eager new assistant had tidied up, mistaking my scribbled security notes for wine tasting spillage, and donated the entire book to the recycling gods. I dove into the garbage cans like a desperate sommelier searching for a quality grape but came up with broken dreams and soggy cardboard. Panic set in faster than cork taint. I faced the bitter truth: my digital fortune was bottled up tighter than a corked bottle with no opener. I sank into denial, questioning whether my future vineyard expansion would now be reduced to selling boxed wine. I panicked, pored over industry publications, and came across a wine industry newsletter that mentioned Tech Cyber Force Recovery. Their slogan, something playful about "decanting lost crypto," seemed like a sign from God. I contacted them, half-expecting snobbery or skepticism. What I received instead were tech wizards who tackled my case with humor and precision. Their team labored over my case like veteran sommeliers dissecting terroir. They painstakingly reconstructed transaction flows, timestamp records, and subtle wallet behavior. It was as if I was watching wine connoisseurs sniff out hints of blackcurrant and oak, but with algorithms and blockchain forensics. Each day, they provided updates with the finesse of tasting notes. “We’re detecting progress, notes of potential access, hints of password recovery on the finish.” Their creativity lightened my anxiety, and ten days later, they uncorked my digital vault. When I saw my Bitcoin balance restored, I nearly opened a bottle of my best vintage at 9 AM. My assistant and I shared a hearty laugh; he's still working for me, but now he labels my ledgers with "DO NOT TOUCH" in bold. My wine business is thriving thanks to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, and I have a new rule: passwords before Pinot. Cheers to their genius!
Go to commentsEnglish sides have had their arses handed to them in this comp and no mistake. The problem is, there’s no sympathy because of the way they’ve behaved in the past by dictating terms to everyone else. Sooner or later, what goes around, usually comes around!
Interesting that Wilson had a very similar experience just a few years ago in Dublin with Glasgow, and that cost him his job at the time too. You might think he knew exactly what was coming but it appears not.
Go to comments